Intel PXA processor companion device enables energy-efficient HDD and PCI connectivity * solution includes Linux & Windows CE software drivers, reference designs & development board Chertsey, UK and Munich, Germany, March 1, 2006 --- QuickLogic Europe announces the availability of a bridge controller device that enables energy efficient connectivity between the popular Intel PXA processor family and IDE-based micro hard disc drives (HDDs) and PCI-based devices. Intel's PXA is one of the most popular processors for handheld, battery-powered portable applications. However, the processor does not provide a native interface to common standards such as PCI and IDE. This poses battery life challenges when integrating commonly used PCI-based peripherals such as Wi-Fi and Ultra Wide Band wireless chipsets, MPEG decoder/encoder devices, and 10/100/1G Ethernet chipsets. QuickLogic's companion devices solve this challenge. An embedded PCI controller in the companion device supports two external PCI agents. Through on-board programmable logic, the device can be expanded to support up to four external PCI agents. By using the SDRAM bus-mastering feature supported by the PXA processor, the QuickLogic companion device can significantly reduce processor bus utilisation - performance that is not feasible with CPLD based interfaces, or FPGAs without embedded RAM. A second embedded controller for IDE can perform transfers to/from an IDE-based hard disk drive in any of the PIO modes (0, 1, 2, 3 or 4). By integrating full sector buffers in the device, QuickLogic has been able to demonstrate performance of over 13Mbytes/sec during data transfers. The IDE timing and registers are completely handled by the QuickLogic companion device, further reducing utilisation of the processor's bus, for more energy efficient operation. "This new programmable bridge controller is another example of QuickLogic's commitment to delivering ready-to-integrate peripheral attachment solutions for portable products such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Smartphones, Personal Media Products (PMP), and portable industrial systems," says Owen Bateman, European Sales Director for QuickLogic. "Our ultra-low power FPGAs, and solution packs guarantee the best performance at the lowest power, and decrease design time, allowing our customers to reach production faster." The new bridge controller and Linux/Windows CE software drivers are available now with pricing starting at $6 in high volume. More information on the bridge controller can be found at . - Ends - QuickLogic Europe 15 London Street, Chertsey KT16 8AP, UK t: +44-1932-579011 eusupport@quicklogic.com http://www.quicklogic.com QuickLogic Germany Stefan George Ring 29, Muenchen D81929, Germany t: +49-89-9308 6170 eusupport@quicklogic.com http://www.quicklogic.com About QuickLogic: QuickLogic Corporation (Nasdaq: QUIK) invented and has pioneered the Embedded Standard Product (ESP) architecture, with the introduction of first products in 1998. ESPs are semiconductor devices that deliver the guaranteed performance, lower cost and lower risk of standard products, coupled with the flexibility and time-to-market benefits of programmable logic. QuickLogic's proprietary ViaLink metal-to-metal interconnect technology offers significant benefits - including very low power consumption at high performance levels - and is the foundation of both the ESP and core FPGA products. http://www.quicklogic.com Safe harbour statement. This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. QuickLogic's actual results may differ from the results described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, general conditions in the semiconductor industry, development risks, market acceptance and the impact of competitive products. These and other risk factors are detailed in QuickLogic's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The QuickLogic name and logo, and ViaLink, are registered trademarks of QuickLogic Corporation. All other brands or trademarks are the property of their respective holders and should be treated as such. --- Visit http://www.wordsun.com/release.php?id=263 for downloadable photos.